Sportsmen and women from across Amber Valley are celebrating after being honoured at this year’s Amber Valley Sports Awards.
The second annual award ceremony was held at Horsley Lodge on Friday 28th September, with over 110 guests in attendance. Awards were presented in 13 categories, including ‘Sportsperson of the Year’, 'Team of the Year', 'Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year' and 'Community Coach of the Year'.
The Awards were delivered on behalf of the Amber Valley Community Sports Network (Amber Valley Active) and Amber Valley Borough Council.
The Mayor of Amber Valley, Councillor Peter Arnold, welcomed guests to the event. He said: “This year we received 80 nominations for the 13 Awards, which highlights the vast amount of sporting talent there is within the Borough. I’d like to congratulate all the nominees on their hard work and achievements, and to wish those shortlisted for the Derbyshire Sports Awards the very best of luck.”
BBC Radio Derby’s Ross Fletcher attended the ceremony and announced the winners of the Awards. Each category had been sponsored by local companies and organisations, which were in attendance to present their respective awards.
All Award winners were put through to the Derbyshire Sports Awards to compete against the winners from the other districts within the County. Greg Townley, Melissa Reid, Cheryl Naylor and Mike Allen have been short listed to attend the Derbyshire Sports Awards at Pride Park on 26th October.
The evening also featured an excellent karate display by Ryan Webster (Junior Sportsman of the Year runner-up) and Ryan Minion of the Derby Karate Academy.
Ends.
For further information please contact Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, on 01773 841655.
Notes for editors:
The Award winners were;
- Derbyshire Building Society Junior Sportsman of the Year - Greg Townley
- Derbyshire Building Society Junior Sportswoman of the Year - Fiona Donnelly
- Belper Mobility & Care Centre Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year - Ryan Taylor
· Amber Valley Borough Council Sportsperson of the Year - Melissa Reid
- Amber Valley Active Veteran Sportsperson of the Year - Mike Allen
- East Midlands Designer Outlet Team of the Year - Marehay Bowls Club 1st Team
- Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership Junior Team of the Year - Heanor Swimming Club National Squad
- DC Leisure Club of the Year - Alfreton (ITF) Puma Taekwon-do School
- Spondon Trophies Performance Coach of the Year - Cyril Martin
- Amber Valley Borough Council Community Coach of the Year - Cheryl Naylor
- Amber Valley Community Safety Partnership Young Sports Leader / Coach of the Year - Ian Glenn
- Grant-MSM Ltd Service to Sport Award - Gordon Blackmore
- Amber Valley School Sports Partnership Contribution to School Sport - Barry Elmore
The Sports Awards provide a way of recognising and celebrating the successes of local athletes and people involved in sport in the Borough. Nominations had to relate to achievements between September 2006 and August 2007, except for the ‘Service to Sport’ and ‘Contribution to School Sport’ Awards. To be eligible for the Awards, athletes must live in Amber Valley or belong to a sports club or school in the borough; be involved in a sport that is officially recognised by Sport England; and compete at an amateur rather than a professional level.
